Sunday, January 30, 2011

My Morning FAV!

They say it takes 21 days to create a habit. Well here we are at day 21 of eating healthy, and you know what, I really like it.

I thought I would share my FAVORITE recipe from the body back meal plan.

Breakfast Quesadilla

1 Whole Wheat Tortilla
2 Egg Whites
Reduced Fat Cheese
Red and Green Bell Peppers Diced
Olive Oil Cooking Spray
Salsa (optional)
Sliced Avocado

Scramble egg whites in small pan. Spray larger pan with OO Cooking Spray. Lay down tortilla and add eggs, cheese, and peppers. Fold tortilla in half, and flip over until both sides are golden brown. Cut into four triangles and serve with salsa and avocado.

WOW- This is just a little bite of heaven. It makes me want to eat breakfast for every meal! I love bell peppers, but never realized how they can really spice up any meal. Quite delicious I tell you!

There are a few other recipes I have fallen in love with from the meal plan like the Chicken Caprese and Crock Pot Chicken Verde. Veggie pizza wasnt half bad either. Turns out that the meal plan has been pretty good to me. I find myself starting to crave fruits and veggies rather than chocolate and ice cream, and that, my friends is a huge win!

At night instead of snacking after Blake goes down, I've been drinking a glass of herbal tea, and I really enjoy it. It relaxes me, and takes away the urge for snacking. Its the perfect nighttime ritual for me- and so much healthier than a glass of vino!

So heres to day 22 and beyond! I really hope this habit sticks, the benefits to a lifestyle change far outweigh the deliciousness of all that high fructose corn syrup!

Friday, January 28, 2011

The KILLER "T"

Do the Y from the Y M C A dance. Now move your arms down so that they are stretched out and your body makes a T, palms up. Now Squat.

Sounds easy, right? Its not. It was a TRICK! It was a KILLER!

We started in this position, and then pulsed our arms moving them about five inches up and down for about 30 seconds. And right when I felt like my arms were gonna fall off, it was palms down, same thing for 30 seconds. Ok. Gonna keep going even though it burns like hell. And right when I really felt like my arms were gonna fall off, it was arms over the head, same thing for 30 seconds... And right when my arms no longer had any feeling in them.......... I think you see where I'm going with this. Keeping up the pulsing, we did arms in front, arms behind, arms out back, it was never ending! And let me tell you--- my arms are still in the ICU recovering!

Wednesday's Body Back workout was fun. Yes, I said fun... even with that killer T exercise! Angela had us workout facing eachother, so we pushed eachother, laughed at eachother, and helped eachother get through it. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.

Next week I am taking a trip to Hawaii to see my sister, so today I had to try on swimsuits to find some to bring. As you can imagine, I had been dreading doing this all week. I have about 45 swimsuits, ok... not that many, but I have a ton of them. All bikinis, all pre-baby, all looked great on my pre-baby body. I hated the thought of having to buy some new swimsuits when I already have so many, but was planning on doing that after finding out that they no longer fit. Well, GUESS WHAT!??? Some of them ACTUALLY fit! I was so proud of myself, I even grabbed my blackberry and sent a pic to my hubby at work! (Something I never thought I'd be ready to do 4 months post-baby) It feels SO good to see results after just three weeks!

I AM gonna get my body back! I AM, I AM, I AM!

Monday, January 24, 2011

Three down, Nine to go...

Monday, Monday. Today begins week 3 of my 8 week course, and today is FABULOUS!

Today, I realized something. In the beginning, I was so worried about the 5:30 am class being too early. I was worried about being too tired to wake up from getting up all night with Blake, being too tired to exercise, and then being exhausted the rest of the day because my workout wiped me out. Seriously, I was scared. But today I had an awakening.

On the days that I begin my morning with the Body Back workout (yes, at the crack of dawn, before the sun even gets up) I have more energy. I know what youre thinking... BULL SHIT. But really, its true. I feel like I have more energy for the rest of the day, I feel like I am in a better mood, and I feel like I am... well... a happier person. Even if I have had a rough night with Blake, I can still do this, I want to do this, and I need to do this... for me.

Theres something completely invigorating about being outside in the crisp morning air, that gives you this rush to wake you up. Theres something inspiring about working out beside other women that want the same things you do and are complete sweethearts. And theres something about Angela, our coach, that just makes you want to be there. Theres just something magnetic about her personality, and knowing she is waiting there to kick our butts and believing in us that makes me want to be there and make her proud.

Today we did a circuit training with 9 different exercises, and repeated it three times. What is it about push ups that rock your whole entire body and make you feel like you are going to collapse? Let me tell you by the third time through the circuit, I could barely catch my breath, my abs were burning and my arms were hurting. I'm pretty sure I looked like a sweaty wet panting dog- (no one noticing was one of the benefits to exercising when its still dark) but nothing could stop me from finishing! The workout music was bumping and I kept telling myself- youre almost done, youre almost done. I love the feeling of accomplishment at the final countdown, 5...4....3...2....1....! EXHALE- Yes, Monday workout is complete!

Monday is also weigh in day. And YAHOOOOOO- to my delight- I lost 3 pounds! Thats 4 down, 9 to go! It feels so good to see that all my hard work is paying off, and I am on track to get my body back! If I can keep this up, I will surely be bikini ready for summer this year. I want the kind of body that people say "You had a baby? WHEN???" Maybe if I work hard enough... I can- but lets not get too ahead of ourselves.

Current Weight: 149.0 lbs

Friday, January 21, 2011

NO pain... NO gain!

Wednesday's Body Back class was awesome. We had nine different workout stations with weights, ropes, or mats, and we spent one minute at each station before moving to the next. We repeated the rotation three times, and kept moving the whole time. This is my favorite type of workout, and since you are only at each station for a minute, you can push yourself hard. Its like you are tricking your body because by the time it realizes that what you are doing hurts, you move to the next station and work another muscle.

The only problem is that I had to modify some of the exercises because between Monday and Wednesday- something happened to my knees. My sweet, angel knees that have never done me wrong are now turning on me.

I thought it might be my shoes -which is totally surprising because they were the really nice expensive ones i bought at payless :) - so I went to Big 5 get running shoes yesterday. They weren't the cutest pair on the wall, but what they lacked in style they made up for in cushion! I figured these New Balances would magically make my knees feel better and I would be ready to get up and go again. I tried running from my car to my house and just that 30 feet felt funny. I decided to take Thursday off, ice my knees, and pop some advil.

Today, I put on those magic shoes and gave Stroller Strides a try- not much luck though as I couldn't do much of the hopping or lunging- not that Blake was going to let me anyhow.

I think the problem is that I have been working out more in the past four weeks than I have in the past four years. My knees are like "WHO ARE YOU, AND WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH JULES?"

Well knees, you listen up. No more of this BS not gonna workout crap. Mama wants her body back and there is nothing you can do about it. You have until tomorrow to feel better. End of conversation.

Monday, January 17, 2011

I LOST A POUND, do de da de do!

4:30 came real early this morning... Eric and I went to a wedding last night and got home around midnight, so I had only 4 hours to recoup from working it on the dance floor and to try and get some sleep before my Body Back workout.

As my alarm went off, I actually thought about pretending like I slept through it and staying in bed. Then I realized the only one I would be cheating is myself- so I dragged my ass out of bed, had a cup of joe, and got ready to go.

First thing we did when we met was weigh in. I am happy to say I LOST A POUND, I LOST A POUND, DO DE DA DE DO! I had been so good all week following the meal plan, but fell off the wagon a little yesterday with half a piece of wedding cake and a couple glasses of wine. Who wants to stay dry at a wedding?! Come on! So, I was hoping that my killer dance moves would've burnt off any of the added calories- but knowing my luck I was prepared to see a gain instead of a loss. A pound? I'll take it. If I can do 1-2 lbs a week, I will be at my goal weight at the end of the 8 week program.

The workout today was great. It was similar to the DVD workout, just harder. We did cardio, strength, and core exercises in two sets, five different combinations. By the fourth combination, I was really feeling the wine from last night- if you know what I mean. My legs were shaking and I started to feel dizzy, but I kept on keeping on and finished the workout. Theres nothing better than the moment when you finish a tough workout and let your body sink into the floor to relax and think "Ah... its over!"

I drove home and Eric was still asleep- recovering from last night. I had some oatmeal, took a quick shower, and hopped back into bed. We woke up together around 10, and it was like the day had just begun... Was my workout this morning all a dream, I thought? No! Thats right! Angela kicked my ass this morning before I even really woke up!

Saturday, January 15, 2011

the DVD workout

For the Body Back program, you are supposed to work out 5 times a week. Twice with the group, two days off, and three days on your own. I decided to go to Stroller Strides Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays to account for the three on your own days. Stroller Strides is a full workout, just not as intense as the Body Back, and you have the babies so you don't always get to do everything if your little one is hungry and screaming (which Blake usually seems to be).

This Friday, Blake slept in. OK... I slept in, but Blake was sleeping too so can't I just blame it on him? We didn't get up in time to make it to Stroller Strides, so when Blake went down for a nap I decided to pop in the "Mama wants her body back" DVD and do the total body workout #1, and ab workout #1.

Let me tell you, these ladies don't mess around! The three women in the DVD are straight off the cover of Shape magazine. They have AMAZING bodies, and two of them are even sisters. (Somebody got LUCKY in the gene department... just saying)

I wasn't sure if I would get a good workout because I've never been one to workout on my own at home or done a workout DVD, but man! did I work up a sweat. (So did the girl on the DVD with the lime green tanktop- they totally zoomed in on her sweaty spot!) I didn't even have the tube that you use for half of the exercises and my heartrate was still climbing and climbing. I liked that at the bottom of the video, theres a little skateboard ramp and bars that fill from left to right as you get closer to the end. Theres also a countdown on the right that tells you how many seconds left of each exercise, which my eyes kept fixated on once I had the exercise down. Makes it easier to push yourself when you know the END IS NEAR!

During the workout the main instructor kept saying "How's that feel? You're doing great! Keep going, I'm right here with you!" and I'm laughing to myself thinking if she saw me in my booty shorts and tank top with all my junk hanging out, falling over right now she would not be saying that! It'd be more like "Why are you wearing that? Go change! Can't you balance? Get it right, Jules or I'm leaving you!"

All in all I was pleasantly surprised when I finished the 20 minute workout and had that beautifully red hot face and sweaty body. I even added on the 10 minute ab workout too, and Blake stayed asleep the whole time! Im thinking I can do 20 minutes any day... I can fit that into my schedule anytime- so no more excuses. Maybe next time I'll even add the tube!

Thursday, January 13, 2011

pancakes, pancakes everywhere

Isn't it weird how when you can't have something, all of the sudden, you see it everywhere!

For me, that thing is pancakes. I've never been a real pancake kinda person, or ordered them for breakfast on a morning out, but now I can't seem to escape them. I have seen more IHOP commercials in the past 4 days then in my entire lifetime. I go to costco and they are handing out samples of pancakes. I go for a walk and pass a cafe and whats on the window- blueberry PANCAKES! All of the sudden I have this incredible urge. An urge stronger than any of my pregnancy cravings- it simply takes over me. I need pancakes. I want pancakes. GIVE ME THE PANCAKES!

So what do I do? Run home, drop a piece of double fiber whole wheat toast in the toaster and spread on some peanut butter. Amazingly, my pancake obsession drifts away. Is it possible that I just needed something a little carby?!

Following the meal plan hasn't been as hard as I thought it would be, and I've been doing alright with the options given. I've had to add a couple of snacks each day so that I don't get too hungry, but I've been sticking to the guidelines and managing to stay satisfied. Its amazing how fruit and peanut butter can satisfy your sweet tooth, and veggies with hummus your salty tooth. I feel like I have more energy, even- and thats saying a lot because Blake was up 4 times last night! Besides that pancake scare, I've managed to stay away from temptation for 4 whole days. Go mama go!

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Dribble Dribble, Oh No!

So today was the first "real" workout, and let me tell you, what a WORKOUT it was. We ran and did interval training that worked nearly every muscle in our bodies. I did get to a point where I felt like I was gonna stop, but Angela, our coach, seems to always have the right words or funny joke to make you laugh at yourself and keep going. When I felt like I couldn't go anymore, she told us to think of our children, and what do we want them to learn from us when things get tough. And man, what a motivater that was! I can do anything if I'm doing it for my baby.

The class itself was intense. About half way through, I felt like I wanted to smile because I was so proud of myself, puke because I was pushing myself harder than I ever have, and cry because... well... now that I have a baby I cry all the time, so emotional! Quite a mix of feelings!

...And then we did a resistance run. Those of you who can't handle TMI, feel free to stop reading this here.

The resistance run you did with a partner and as the partner holds a resistance tube around you, you have to run with their weight up the hill. Think of a horse and carriage- and you are the horse pulling the other person. This was HARD! But I made it up the hill and it was time to trade spots. As my partner worked her way up the hill, I felt it coming... o no, not here, not now. YUP, I had a little dribble dribble, and there was no way I could stop it. My partner kept moving and grooving up the hill and I am pissing myself with each bounce! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! Is this REALLY happening? Ahhh.... mommyhood, what have you done to me? All I can say is THANK GOD it was still dark outside so no one could see that glorious wet spot on my workout pants. Ring ring. Hello? This is your wake up call, need to start those kegels again!

At that point the workout was nearly over and all I can think is "I hope no one notices my little accident. " It actually made the rest of the time easier because I wasn't focusing on how hard each exercise was, imagine that!

We finished with an ab workout and a beautiful sunrise in the background. I made it back to my car just before the sun came up all the way- SAFE! I couldn't have had a better start to my day (minus the dribble drabble) and I feel great knowing that I pushed myself as hard as I could. I can't wait to start seeing results.

Monday, January 10, 2011

DAY ONE, and plain yogurt.

So today was day one of the body back training. It was assessment day, so it wasnt all that intense physically. Emotionally, well thats another story because we were measured, weighed, and counted. Lets just say I came in about last in every category, but I figure all the better when I do them again at the end... three cheers for most improved! After all, I was just trying to make everyone else look better- being the good samaritan that I am.

My favorite part of the training was at the end when Angela, our coach, told us what great mommies we were to be up at the crack of dawn when so many people were tucked in bed sleeping, not even thinking about getting up to work out- she's got that one right!

Blake did great while I was gone and got up only a few minutes before I got home. Eric got to spend a little quality time with him before work, and when I got home Blake was smiling as big as he could at his daddy making funny faces. What a great way to start the day!

I got the meal plans today for the nutrition portion of body back and hit the grocery store. Stocked up on all the healthy foods and planned out a few meals. Im not so worried about it now that I've seen it. The meal plan gives you options for home, restaurants and even on the go, so it should be simple enough to follow no matter the situation.

For my snack I decided I'd have the yogurt with berrys and nuts. Of course I bought the non-fat plain yogurt, just like the meal plan suggests. And let me tell you, I now know why the make all those different flavors for yogurt. That shit was NAS-TAYYYY. I got about one bite in and decided to ditch the yogurt and just eat the almonds and blueberries, which were much more satisfying. I can't believe I've never ate plain yogurt before. A first and last, ladies and gentleman. A first and last.

For dinner, I tried out one of the recipes- Spinach Meatballs. Epic FAIL. Let's just say I would be the first chef kicked off Hell's Kitchen if that English guy saw these balls. I thought I followed the steps correctly, but my meatballs were not sticking together. It ended up looking more like meal goulash than a meatball, but hell- it took too much time to try to get it all together so we decided to close our eyes and give it a try anyways. And guess what- not bad. I'd give it a 6 out of 10 on the deliciousness scale, but it filled us up and was healthy, so maybe it wasn't such a fail after all.

Overall I'd say today was a good day. I followed the meal plan, adding two extra snacks to account for the breastfeeding and skipped all the junk at the grocery store. I feel empowered to continue and take on the weeks ahead!

Sunday, January 9, 2011

The WEEKEND recap

Well, today is Sunday, and tomorrow the heat is on! I am excited to see what this new workout group has to offer, and a little scared at the same time. It starts at 530am, which means I have to leave the house by 5 to get there in time... which would be fine, but I have to wake Blake up to nurse him before I go so that he will go back to sleep before I get home... (crossing my fingers this works so Eric can sleep)

I did go for my run yesterday- you know, the one I was gonna go on Friday but then Eric brought home the wine. I ran a minute, walked 2 minutes and repeated that for about 20 minutes. I ran 1.5 miles, not much, but for me- it was intense! I came back up to the condo with my beating red face, panting, and feeling like I was gonna puke. AFTER 20 Minutes, are you kidding me? I thought I had a little more in me than that, but I guess we all have to start somewhere. I drank a protein shake and felt a little better.

Ive been doing good with the dieting, eating only real food. Nothing processed, low fat intake, no high fructose corn syrup or sugary treats. I am still snacking a lot, but trying to make smarter choices like fruit, plain popcorn and nuts. Today I even went to watch the game with the boys, and I stuck it out as they all devoured their greasy burgers and fries(which looked incredible I might add) and ordered a mediocre salad. YUM YUM.

I did, however, order a Shock Top, because after all I deserved one. Starting tomorrow we are supposed to say sionara to alcohol during the program... hmmmm.... hope I can hang there. Mama does love her wine :) but other than that sticking to the agua, and trying to mentally prepare for the day tomorrow! HERE WE GOOOOOO!!!!

Current Weight : 152 lbs

Friday, January 7, 2011

... and Then!

I made a very healthy dinner tonight. Chicken kabobs, salad, and zucchini. Fresh, Light, and Healthy. It was perfect.

My plan was to eat dinner with the hubby, and then I was gonna go for a run. Don't get me wrong, I AM NOT A RUNNER... so nothing crazy... just a run around my complex. I had my sports bra on and EVERYTHING, I wanted to push myself to get ready for the weeks ahead!

... And then Eric came home with a bottle of wine.

So much for that plan... I think I'll go for a run tomorrow.

Before it Begins...

My name is Jules, I'm 24, a new mommy, and today I decided its time to get my body back.



My wonderful son, Blake Matthew was born on September 27th. He has brought so much joy to my life, and I can't imagine not having him in it. He's 3 months old, starting to squeal now and he smiles all the time- he's the best thing I've ever done.



So where did my body go? I know its inside this new one somewhere!!! I look in the mirror sometimes and wonder what it used to look like. I think I remember, or at least I am painfully reminded when I look at pictures from the Vegas trip with the girls. Although this new body has done some pretty amazing things, it has its own set of battle wounds which the average person wouldnt call attractive. With stretch marks and cellulite patterns covering it, its its own kind of camoflauge.



So I am on a mission, starting today. I am going to get my pre-baby body back even if it kills me! I am joining a workout, inspiration, and nutrition group called Mama wants her body back. It consists of 2 high intensity workouts in a small group format, and 3 days of your own workouts. Theres also a meal plan to follow, which I am both excited and scared to discover... being a nursing mom, I feel like I am eating all the time, so im sure it'll be a challenge for me. The instructor for the workouts is nothing short of amazing and inspiring, I couldn't have chosen a better leader to take me on this journey.


My first workout is this Monday so stay tuned!


Current Weight: 153 lbs